Cablegate: Pei Tories Three-Peat, but Liberals Improve Their Numbers

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS HALIFAX 000309

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON CA
SUBJECT: PEI TORIES THREE-PEAT, BUT LIBERALS IMPROVE THEIR NUMBERS

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY

1. (U) Prince Edward Island Premier Pat Binns won a third
consecutive majority in the province's September 29 election.
Binns's Progressive Conservatives took 23 of the 27 seats in the
legislature. The Liberal Party improved its standing in the
house dramatically, but from a low base: the Liberals went from
one MLA to four, including new party leader Robert Ghiz. Voter
turnout, despite Hurricane Juan, was over 80%.

2. (SBU) COMMENT: Premier Binns is well-known to Consulate
and Embassy staff and we not anticipate any significant changes
in PEI policy on issues that could affect relations with the
U.S. The high voter turnout, in the wake of a major storm that
did extensive damage across the province, is a remarkable
comment on the PEI electorate's intense interest in politics.
PEI Liberals are no doubt encouraged by their 300% increase in
seats, but Robert Ghiz has a tough fight ahead of him to try to
bring his party back to government. END COMMENT.

HILL

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